How did the Blue Jays’ AL East rivals fare at the trade deadline?

New York Yankees

As a perennial playoff contender year after year, the New York Yankees actually find themselves currently in an unusual position this year, sitting in last place in the AL East division, but still having an outside shot at a playoff Wild Card spot in the process. Because of that, they weren’t sellers at the trade deadline, but at the same time, they didn’t end up being big-time buyers either.

In the end, the Yankees acquired reliever Keynan Middleton from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RHP prospect Juan Carela. Middleton has a 2-2 record with a 3.96 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 16 walks and 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched this season with the struggling White Sox ballclub and should provide middle innings relief depth for the Yankees down the stretch.

In a more minor transaction, the Yankees also obtained pitcher Spencer Howard from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. Howard, a former top MLB pitching prospect, will provide pitching depth for the Yankees while pitching in their minor league system in the meantime. Howard made three appearances for the Rangers at the major league level this season, giving up four hits, four earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.

Potential impact on the Jays: None – Both pitching acquisitions by the Yankees don’t even really move the needle in terms of enhancing their chances of making the playoffs, making it less likely that they will catch the Jays due to the trade deadline acquisitions. Their actual key to success instead will be the overall impact Aaron Judge will have coming back from his injury for the ballclub.